In the wake of last week's defeat of Measure H, a parcel tax that would have helped the District offset cuts caused by the ongoing state budget crisis, the New Haven Schools Foundation and the New Haven Boosters Association have launched a campaign to give individuals a chance to donate the equivalent of the $180 tax - or any amount - to student programs.

The Foundation, with fund-raising help from the Boosters, this year donated $100,000 to help the District fund after-school activities such as athletics, band, forensics and choir. The donation was to have been a one-time effort, but the Foundation is considering making a similar pledge for 2012-13, and the Boosters, who raised about half of the money this year, will try to do so once again.

The two groups also are considering helping provide some of the library/media services that the District is being forced to cut.

More information is available online at www.newhavenboosters.org and www.nhsfoundation.com or donors simply can send checks to: NHBA, c/o New Haven Schools Foundation, 33377 Western Ave., Union City, 94587.